Ottavino agrees to deal with Rockies, avoiding arbitration

Ottavino, 29, who's heading into his fourth season with the Rockies, has grown into the primary right-handed setup man for closer LaTroy Hawkins. Last season, Ottavino went 1-4 with a 3.60 ERA, with 70 strikeouts in 65 innings.

Ottavino, 29, who's heading into his fourth season with the Rockies, has grown into the primary right-handed setup man for closer LaTroy Hawkins. Last season, Ottavino went 1-4 with a 3.60 ERA, with 70 strikeouts in 65 innings.

Since being claimed off waivers from the Cardinals before the 2012 season, Ottavino has appeared in 179 games, covering 221 1/3 innings, and he is 7-8 with a 3.60 ERA and 229 strikeouts against 81 walks.

Ottavino was seeking a $1.475 million salary, while the Rockies filed at $1 million.

The signing leaves the Rockies with one arbitration-eligible player, catcher Wilin Rosario, whom the club wants to be able to play first base and possibly some outfield this year after the free-agent signing of catcher Nick Hundley. Rosario filed for $3.3 million, while the Rockies offered $2.8 million.